‘We’ve definitely seen it all’ - Molloy on previous finals

A 2-0 defeat in 2002, a breakthrough victory on penalties after a 2-2 draw in 2023 and a crushing 6-1 defeat last year. Athlone Town have clearly seen both the unbridled joy and the bitter taste of defeat on Women’s FAI Cup final today.

All of those previous deciders were against Shelbourne, with whom Athlone have developed a keen rivalry over recent years.

“Yeah, we’ve definitely seen it all,” Athlone winger Roisin Molloy told the Westmeath Independent, when asked to reflect on those finals.

“I think the first one that we won, the second one we were in, was a really, really special day for us to get our first trophy. That’s definitely a feeling we want to get back and to do the double as well would be an unbelievable achievement for the team, so we’re really looking forward to it,” continued Molloy, who is among the six nominees for the Women's Premier Division Player of the Year award.

While Athlone are preparing for their fourth FAI Cup final in a row, Bohemians are gearing up for their very first appearance and Molloy admits Athlone’s deep reservoir of experience is an advantage. However, she pointed to the tough battle Bohemians gave Athlone in a 2-2 draw at Dalymount Park in August and the fact that Bohemians reached this year’s All-Island Cup final, which they lost to Wexford on penalties.

“Yeah, I think it is a good advantage for us. I remember our first one, it was definitely hard to get to grips with the occasion and it can kind of get to you,” said Roisin.

“But look, we still know that they are a top team. We drew with them earlier in the year and they’ve obviously been in the All-Island Cup final as well, so I still think it’s going to be a really tough game. It’s nice to have played three or four finals already, but we didn’t have a great experience last year, so we’re definitely going to want to put that right.”

Molloy was speaking after last Saturday evening’s 4-0 win over Sligo Rovers, the club from her own native county. The Women’s Premier Division title had already been wrapped up with two games to spare, but Saturday’s match provided the opportunity for Athlone to be presented with the trophy in front of their home fans.

“We all wanted to come here and put on a performance and enjoy the game. Obviously, there was no pressure to win the game, but we still wanted to put on a performance for the fans and a performance that league champions should be putting on. We’re heading for the cup final now and it’s important (for some of the players) to get minutes into the legs,” said the native of Gurteen, Co. Sligo.

Athlone hit the woodwork multiple times and Molloy was denied herself on more than one occasion, including an effort that was tipped on to the crossbar by Sligo keeper Bonnie McKiernan.

“I think if I stayed here all night, I wouldn’t score,” said Roisin with a smile when asked about chances Athlone had to add to their tally of goals.

“Luckily the other girls were able to put the ball in the back of the net. I think we had a lot of possession, a lot of chances and we definitely could have had a few more goals, but it was still good to get four,” she continued.

Whatever happens at Tallaght Stadium on Sunday afternoon (kick-off 3pm, live on TG4), Athlone have had a remarkable season, having retained the league title and enjoyed a run of games in the Women’s Champions League and Europa Cup. However, Molloy insisted that the chance to complete the league and cup double is a huge incentive.

“I think every year we go out, we try to achieve one thing more and we’re always wanting more,” she said.

“We want to create history now and do the double. So yeah, now that the league is out of the way, it’s full focus on the cup final, and we really want to go out and achieve that double,” Molloy added.